King Lagoon’s Flying Swordfish Dance Band

Brighton’s beloved King Lagoon’ released The Golden Lagoon LP into the wild in late 2019, and with enthusiastic support from Mr Bongo, Sounds of the Universe, Rarekind, Love Vinyl, Union Records and radio from Gideon Coe, Lauren Laverne and Gilles Peterson, the response has been positive!

With a hot stash of remixes out in Sept 2020, we asked bandleader Rodrigo Kerr a few questions about his influences, plus Howard Sivills, one of a long line in expert aroma wizards, gave us his word in aroma inspiration.

Rodrigo Kerr (Bandleader)

What or who inspired you to start making music?

Earlier foundations must have been a lot to do with my brothers - they were very into finding music they liked and buying CDs and cassettes and I pretty much just listened to what they were getting before the age of about 15 (and still continued to until we left home). That was generally rock and indie. I did have a few different purchases of my own..... Peter Andre's Flava and Savage Garden's Take Me to the Moon and Back.... hmmm.

I don't remember what made me start learning electric guitar at about 15 but it was playing around with the effects on my multi effects pedal and that kept me inspired. My brother's band Yeborobo were a big inspiration to keep me wanting to make music.

When I was about 6 I begged and begged my mum for a violin (don't know why a violin), when she got me violin lessons I totally didn't want to learn anymore.

Can you say a little about an artist or two that have influenced your music, but in an implicit random or surprising way, that might not be immediately obvious through listening to your music?

Peter Andre...? Nah probably not.... Genesis, but only the album, 'The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway'. That was one of only a few albums we had in the house at a young age before my brothers started buying more and some of it's prog elements shaped some of my taste.

Can you name a couple of albums that you’ve particularly enjoyed recently?

A compilation called Alefa Madagascar and Habibi by Babylon Trio.

Can you give us a clue as to what else you’re working on at the moment?

More Flying Swordfish songs are in the making, trying to finish off a few songs that were started a while ago. Also hoping to do more of the Lagoon Transmissions (short audio/sound stories about the realm of the Lagoon)

Can you name a record label that's been catching your attention?

I have at least some songs from about half of Analog Africa's releases so that's definitely one of my main sources over the years. Soundway also a big one for me.

Anything else to add or recommend…?

A more recent style I'm very much into is called 'Funaná'. Another that's coming out of Uganda's underground is electronic acholi dance- check out the record label Nyege Nyege Tapes. Crazy and so fast and fun!

Howard Sivills (Former aroma technician)

What smells inspire you?

The smell that inspires me most is the zest of a good citrus fruit. It fills my very being with enthusiasm.

Can you say a little about a smell or two that has influenced you, but in an implicit, random or surprising way?

An unexpected smell that influenced me is the smell of bottle feeding baby lambs. As a child I helped look after some orphan lambs and to this day, certain similar smells bring me back to that exact memory.

Can you name a couple of smells that you’ve particularly enjoyed recently?

A couple of smells I’ve enjoyed recently are Mai Chang essential oil and Patchouli.

Can you name a record label that's been catching your attention?

A smell that catches my nasal hairs at the moment is Palo Santo. It’s really cleansing and invigorating.

Anything else to add or recommend…?

I’d recommend seeking out those smells in everyday life and taking note of them. A good lavender bush, nettles, rain on hot tarmac, the Autumnal air.... take some time to enjoy the smells!

Releases:

Remixes & Interpretations

…Forthcoming

>Bunty with Dave remix

>Alphabets Heaven remix

>Ani Kcam remix

>ZLG remix

>Proprio remix

>DJ Eggs Legs remix

>KLSF&Fs (R.Kerr, D.Benjamin, I.Paxon, P.Piskov) Improv

>ZLG&ML Interludes Interpret

(Kin-009R)

The Golden Lagoon

(Kin-009)